First Second Cookie Shop: June 3-9

The injury bug hit hard this week. Big hits saw Zac Gallen and Yu Darvish put in the IL. Hopefully, they can be healed and back in action sooner rather than later. Their possible replacements are listed below, and you don’t really want to use any of them.
Alek Manoah had begun to establish himself as someone to look out for, at least, but now he would be out of sight for a long time. It’s not clear who the Jays will use in his trade, but Manoah had earned his role more because previous options had failed than because he had truly earned it. It’s bad in Toronto folks.
Mike Clevinger is also a former trade pitcher who is now in IL.
On the bright side, we have an interesting selection of aces and near-aces lined up and ready to go this week despite those injuries and other uncertain roles. That’s what you came here for, so let’s get to it.
The following are our guesses at the time of writing as to who will start two games this week, but the weather, injuries, and secret team management mean they are just that: guesses. To stay as up-to-date as possible, consult Rudy Gamble’s invaluable Streamonator.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (A Must-Start)
They are the kings of the cookie world for a reason. A warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie makes you feel good. It’s kind of like setting your rosters you know you’re getting two this week from these guys.
It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
---|---|---|
Tarik Skubal, Det | @TEX | The MIL |
Corbin Burnes, Bal | @TOR | @TB |
Max Fried, ATL | @BOS | @WSH |
Tyler Glasnow, LAD | @PIT | @NYY |
Shota Imanaga, CHC | CHW | @CIN |
Justin Verlander, Hou | STL | @LAA |
Kevin Gausman, Tor | BAL | @OK |
- His last outing showed that Imanaga is not perfect. But ordering the White Sox next is a delicious treat.
Sugar Cookies (Must Start)
They went well. You could certainly do a lot worse than having these guys on your list, but don’t expect it to be spectacular.
It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
---|---|---|
Nathan Eovaldi, Tex | DET | SF |
George Kirby, Sea | @OK | @KC |
Luis Gil, NYY | MIN | LAD |
Grayson Rodriguez, Bal | @TOR | @TB |
Seth Lugo, KC | @CLE | THE SEA |
MacKenzie Gore, Wsh | NYM | ATL |
Jared Jones, Pit | LAD | MIN |
- I understand that Lugo’s metrics don’t really support what he’s been doing up until now. He is currently 9-1 with a 1.72 ERA. That number will go up, but putting him on the bench in the week he starts two games will make sure I don’t have them.
- Jones has looked very human in recent starts, and you’d really like to see anyone but the Dodgers in that first game. Even so, you are still starting him.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Can Start)
This is not for everyone. These are the jars that can be a happy surprise, or they can ruin your church. Step slowly.
It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
---|---|---|
Matt Waldron, SD | @LAA | ARI |
Kutter Crawford, Bos | ATL | @CHW |
Bailey Ober, Min | @NYY | @PIT |
Triston McKenzie, Cle | KC | @MIA |
Kyle Gibson, Stl | @HOU | COL |
Tyler Anderson, LAA | SD | HOU |
Trevor Williams, Wsh | NYM | ATL |
- Matt Waldron throws a knuckleball. That means he will have more game-to-game risk involved than most pitchers even if he is stronger than him. However, he has put together four good seasons in a row, and this Angels program is not afraid of anyone. But….an unproven knuckleballer. He could be the platonic one for Raisin Cookie.
- Both Anderson and Williams continue to put up solid-to-excellent streaks. I still don’t believe in either to go on, and Streamonator believes in them even less than this placement shows. But since both have failed to consider it so far, I can’t really tell you not use them, or I believe that doing so ends in pain.
Fortune Cookies (Don’t Start)
Yes, they are technically cookies. Hold on, what does that little piece of paper say? “Bad times pass.” Oh. Oh well.
It’s a jar | The beginning of the beginning | The Second Beginning |
---|---|---|
Joey Estes, Oak | The sea | Tor |
Andre Pallante, StL | @HOU | COL |
Ryne Nelson, Ari | SF | @SD |
Frankie Montas, Cin | @COL | CHC |
Andrew Abbott, Cin | @COL | CHC |
Bryse Wilson, Mil | @PHI | @DET |
Johnny Brito, SD | @LAA | ARI |
Ryan Feltner, Col | CIN | @STL |
Jake Woodford, CHW | @CHC | The BOS |
Ty Blach, Col | CIN | @STL |
Spencer Howard, SF | @ARI | @TEX |
Logan Allen, Ari | SF | @SD |
- Three of Joey Estes’ pitches have been good. The fourth was an unmitigated disaster. Also, he plays for Oakland. And he doesn’t throw much. And he doesn’t get that many hits. Considering all of that, even though my gut says I’d start him this week on a 12-man or deeper team if I had him, I don’t think it’s fair to tell you to do so. What can I say? Sometimes you just want to try something you know you won’t enjoy.
- It may be someone other than Brito taking Darvish’s spot this week, but the quality remains the same.
- Streamonator has Mike Soroka slated to start, but Woodford is more likely to get at least the starting opportunity. There are rumors that it could be a big desire for Drew Thorpe to be called up to make his debut. He would be interesting, but I’d like to see it happen and see how he does, first.
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